I have a Sunlinq 6.5 Watt foldable solar charger which I bought from the US about a year ago and I really love it. I never expected much of it and maybe it isn't really that useful as I could probably just charge my gadgets in the car. But that would mean having the car battery turned on and leaving the key in the ignition.

I use the solar charger to charge my (and my friends') phone, electric pump and our Nintendos. I love this photo of my daughter with the Nintendo she got from Santa when we were camping.

It works suprisingly well, even when completely overcast. It has a 12v 'cigarette lighter' socket and I bought a 12V cable that fits most of my gadgets from Dick Smith.

It really does produce very little power, but it never fails and it gives me a disproportionate pleasure to get free power from the sun. (I raved about the hot water on tap from our solar shower too the first time I used it!)

So much so, that I think it's a shame when it isn't charging anything and I'd like to be able to charge a battery so I can use the power later to maybe power a portable stereo or lantern. Any ideas how I would go about that? Alternatively I could use it to charge AA or AAA batteries to power other appliances... If I can do that, I may buy myself a second one and link them up.

Oh and I love the fact that it weighs nothing and folds up to a bit bigger than wallet size. Small car sydnrome...

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Ooh, those Waeco batteries are very nice! Heavy, but small indeed. Will put it on my 'wants' list!

The Powermonkey chargers info doesn't mention how many Watts they put out... I think I'd be better off just buying one or 2 more of the ones I already have and link them together as I know they work. Not all of them perform well in overcast weather, I think. I also love the fact that mine is so tough: no glass and completely weather-proof.

I was about to say "sure it does" as I'd seen specs on a website last night, but you're right, it's not there! From memory the Power Gorilla is around 2200mah which makes it quite expensive, though it is versatile.

What I like about the Waeco batteries is they're portable, they'll charge while driving or from a car battery charger, and because of their construction, can be used in any orientation (ie you can tip it on it's back or side if it makes it fit into your car better.

Lin wrote:I'd like to be able to charge a battery so I can use the power later to maybe power a portable stereo or lantern. Any ideas how I would go about that?

I don't know much about solar / power / batteries, but .....

Does your solar panel have some kind of regulator? so when your stuff has been fully charged it stops charging?

I have a Ritar RT1270 battery which is pretty small, cost $40 from a boat shop, they probably have similar ones at BCF. I use it in the tinnie to run the GPS and fish finder. They have run those things for 2 days straight and haven't effected the power much.

You could buy something like that and connect the solar panel to it, it could be permantly set up at camp so it charges all day.

It kind of all depends on how much power you require, if you start running radios all day and lights at night your solar panel will not put in enough power to keep up with the accessories you're using and your battery may run low after a few days, BUT, if you're only there for a few days or a week you'll probably get away with it, and the solar panel will slowly charge the battery, and before you go camping next time, just charge the battery again.

Lin wrote:I'd like to be able to charge a battery so I can use the power later to maybe power a portable stereo or lantern. Any ideas how I would go about that?

I don't know much about solar / power / batteries, but .....

Does your solar panel have some kind of regulator? so when your stuff has been fully charged it stops charging?

I have a Ritar RT1270 battery which is pretty small, cost $40 from a boat shop, they probably have similar ones at BCF. I use it in the tinnie to run the GPS and fish finder. They have run those things for 2 days straight and haven't effected the power much.

You could buy something like that and connect the solar panel to it, it could be permantly set up at camp so it charges all day.

It kind of all depends on how much power you require, if you start running radios all day and lights at night your solar panel will not put in enough power to keep up with the accessories you're using and your battery may run low after a few days, BUT, if you're only there for a few days or a week you'll probably get away with it, and the solar panel will slowly charge the battery, and before you go camping next time, just charge the battery again.

I'm sure others here know more than me about power stuff, more beer

Again, if anyone wants any of these battery,s in Sth East Victoria ask me.We throw out 2 year old ones all the time.Titch